[Elecraft] Which way to steer a new ham K2-KX3

[K8JHR]

Big money business types usually like to be told what to buy, and will 
spend a lot on a single recommendation (as they often do in business) 
and totally miss the fun learning about radios, antennas, towers, and 
accessory OPTIONS and CHOICES.  Some guys rush through the process of 
building a station, which I feel is a big part of the hobby.  Some guys 
figure they are better hams because they wrote a big check.

My personal ham hero is the regular guy working man with 300 confirmed 
entities, running barefoot with a $1000 radio, and a couple of well made 
and thoughtfully designed home made antennas.  He has researched and 
agonized over every aspect of his station, and never makes an 
unjustified purchase.,  He develops good operating skills, and can whip 
the pants off a lot of other guys running big power into big beams on 
tall towers.

Having an expensive station does not, itself, make a good operator, any 
more than owning a super sports car makes one a good driver.  I wonder 
how many of these big dollar suits will be on the air a year from now...

Just MY take.
-------------------------- JHR -------------------





On 6/16/2014 6:44 PM, Gerald Manthey wrote:
> Yeah Don
> That is what I was just thinking.
> This group is a bunch of middle aged business owners who were feed with a
> silver spoon. I brought up used equipment and was told they buy only the
> best.
> Then we all walked out to the parking lot and my Toyota truck was
> surrounded by $50,000 trucks. Hihi.
> Okay they got the money but was wanting to teach a more hands on ham.
>
> We start antennas this week so hopefully they will want to make them. One
> guy already had a company come out and install a 50 foot tower on his
> farm/ranch.
>
> Thanks
> Gerald.
> On Jun 16, 2014 5:34 PM, "Don Wilhelm" <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Gerald,
>>
>> I believe the KX3 is the better general choice for new hams.  They can get
>> it in kit form so they can have the pride of making it themselves, even
>> though there is no soldering.
>>
>> For those who are experienced with soldering as well as properly following
>> written instructions, and really want to solder their kit together from
>> thru-hole components, the K2 is an excellent choice.
>>
>> Yes, the price difference is minimal and the extra features offered by the
>> KX3 (data modes, FM, AM, dual receive, etc.) make it more flexible than the
>> K2.
>>
>> If the new ham wants only a basic CW QRP transceiver, then the K2 price is
>> much lower.
>>
>> The other point to be made is that the cost of expanding the K2 to a 100
>> watt transceiver is less than a KX3 with the KXPA3 and KXAT3.
>> For a 100 watt transceiver, the basic K3/100 and KX3 with KXPA100 are
>> priced within the same ballpark, so you may want to add the K3 to your list
>> of suggestions.
>>
>> New hams may not have resonant antennas, so an antenna tuner may be an
>> asset.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 6/16/2014 5:53 PM, KC6CNN wrote:
>>
>>> I have been training new hams to pass their test and get licensed.
>>> During one of the classes we looked at my rigs K3, KX3, K2, Drake TR-4.
>>> I was telling them how proud they would feel having built their own rigs
>>> and
>>> that the K2 was a good radio. It is hard to push the K2 to them when the
>>> price difference is so minimal between the K2 and the KX3. The KX3 also
>>> has
>>> so many more features that it is hard to get them to put that a side for
>>> the
>>> pride in making it themselves.
>>> What would you guys suggest?
>>> Features verses the pride in making it yourself. Price difference is
>>> minimal.
>>> Thanks
>>> Gerald - KC6CNN
>>>
>>>
>>
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